Council okays $1.7M purchase of 2 lots for parks along PATH400 trail

The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved March 27 the use of $1.7 million in Development Impact Fees to purchase two lots for conversion to public parks connected to the PATH400 trail at its northern end and near Lenox Square mall.

This Google map shows the property at 3148 Lenox Road, with Lenox Square Mall at top left. The main Google map photo above shows the 685 Loridans Drive property (indicated with orange pointer in the woods area).

In the north Buckhead neighborhood, the 1.5-acre lot at 685 Loridans Drive will provide a welcome addition to users of the fast-growing Path400 network of trails and parks.

“Now we have the room for both a better trail experience as well as a complete park,” said Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead.

Two miles to the south, a 1.5-acre parcel at 3148 Lenox Road will now be combined with a 2.6 acre lot the city had previously acquired. Both parks will be designed, funded, and improved through community input.

“It’s a banner day for Buckhead,” said Atlanta City Councilmember Howard Shook who has worked to double the number of acres dedicated to parks and greenspaces in his district. “I really believe that in a few more years, this partnership will be closing in on our goal of putting everyone within a 15 minute walk to a park or trail.”

“The Department of Parks and Recreation is excited to work with Councilman Shook to add not only one, but two additional parks in District 7,” Commissioner Amy Phuong said. “Under the leadership of Mayor Kasim Reed, we are working tirelessly to expand our green infrastructure and park system, especially in our most under-parked and under-served communities.”